Vertebrae

As we get ready for the Christmas experience, I’ve been reading the beginning of Luke… The birth of John the Baptist foretold, Jesus’ birth foretold, Mary pregnant with Jesus visiting Elizabeth pregnant with John…    And I’m struck by how these people, who—over the last 2000 years—have been mythologized, responded to these magnificent spiritual moments and the great responsibilities that followed.    I want to highlight a few phrases for us today…    When Zacharias is told that his wife will become pregnant with a prophet named John… the angel says, “Listen carefully…”    Luke 1:22 “When Zacharias came out from the Temple, he was unable to speak to them. They realized that he had seen a vision… and remained mute.”    Verse 24: “After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant, and for five months she secluded herself completely…”    Verse 28, now with Mary, “The angel said, “Greetings favored one! The lord is with you.” But she was greatly perplexed at what he said, and kept carefully considering what kind of gr